At JD Dental Care, we believe that prevention is better than a cure. We aim to keep your teeth healthy so you feel great now and avoid restorative work later. Preventive dentistry includes, scaling, cleaning and other simple procedures to keep your teeth looking great and feeling great.
Scale and Clean / Gum disease treatment
Clean teeth and gums are essential to oral health and general well-being. This includes daily brushing, flossing, healthy diet and regular check-ups with your dentist.
Plaque is responsible for most tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. The bacteria in the plaque produce acids that attack teeth resulting in tooth decay and gum inflammation (Gingivitis / Periodontitis or Gum disease). Plaque can be removed by thorough daily brushing and flossing. Once plaque hardens, it becomes tartar/ calculus, which can not be removed by normal brushing.
At your regular exam and clean appointments, we will enhance your daily dental care routine by removing these build ups and developing an individual care plan to help you care for your teeth and keep good oral health.
Stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: inflammation of the gums making them appear swollen, red and tender that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. It can be reversed.
- Periodontitis: advanced stage of Gum disease that may occur if Gingivitis is left untreated. It is an inflammation of the deeper structures that anchor teeth to the gum and bone, if untreated is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
Make an appointment with us today at JD Dental Care in Melbourne City.
Fluoride / Remineralising agents
Many clinical studies have shown that fluoride prevents tooth decay as it helps to build strong teeth more resistant to acids produced by bacteria. In addition to dietary intake, topical fluoride in toothpaste, gels, varnishes and mouthwash are effective in protecting teeth.
Topical fluoride or remineralising agents might be applied on your hygiene appointments or recommended for home use. They can arrest early decay and sometime reverse the damage. We will recommend the correct fluoride toothpaste for you after a thorough examination.
Book an appointment with us today at JD Dental Care, located on Collins Street in Melbourne CBD.
Fissure sealants
If the fissures on the tooth surface are very deep and narrow, toothbrush bristles can not fit inside and clean properly, resulting in bacteria building up and causing decay.
Fissure sealants are protective coatings that fill in the small grooves and pits on the biting surfaces of the teeth, reducing the chances of decay. They are more commonly applied to permanent teeth, but can also be applied to primary/baby teeth if necessary.
Treatment is painless and non-invasive, with a coat of sealant applied to a cleaned tooth. It is a good idea to have your child’s teeth checked around the age of 6-7 and 11-12 when permanent molars come through as they are at greatest risk of tooth decay.
Regular tooth brushing, limiting sugary foods and drinks, drinking fluoridated tap water and regular dental check ups also hep to prevent tooth decay.
Get in contact today with our caring team at JD Dental Care in Melbourne.
General health advice
Sugary snacks between meals cause more damage than a whole meal, as less saliva is produced and teeth and gums are less protected. The important factor is the frequency of snacking rather than the amount of food. Avoid foods with high sugar content like sticky sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, soft drinks, sports drinks, cordial, flavoured mineral water and fruit drinks. Eat a well-balanced diet and drink water. People with a poor diet or poor eating habits are more likely to have problems with their teeth.
If you are thinking of having a baby, it is a good idea to have a dental examination so oral health is achieved before you become pregnant.
Pregnancy provokes a range of hormonal changes that can have an impact on gums and teeth. Pregnant women are more susceptible to gum inflammation which can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. Morning sickness can also lead to permanent damage to teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and erosion.
We will provide information on which procedures are necessary and whether or not there are any implications for your baby. Dental check-ups during pregnancy is safe and important for a woman’s dental health and the health of her unborn child. Failure to treat oral disease may do more harm. Research suggest a link between pre-term delivery, low birthweight babies and gum disease.
Diabetes is a serious condition in which the level of glucose/ sugar in the blood is too high due to decreased production of insulin (hormone) and/ or increased resistance to its effects. Research has shown that people with poor diabetes control may be at more risk of infection including gum disease, mouth thrush and tooth decay. It is also likely that poor oral health can make diabetes control more difficult, which is why is important for people with diabetes to keep their mouth healthy and have regular check-ups.
Smoking causes teeth staining, bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer. Please feel free to ask us for advice to quit smoking.
